Annand Jagesar, Managing Director of Staatsolie confirmed that Petronas has commenced drilling in Suriname’s block 52.
“They are drilling the Fusaea oil exploration well. This will be followed by the Sloanea gas appraisal well,” Jagesar told OilNOW.
Drilling activities are being undertaken with the Noble Voyager under a 120-day contract with a one-well option.
Last November, Petronas made a major oil discovery at the Roystonea-1 exploration well, which revealed several oil-bearing Campanian sandstone reservoir packages. This follows the Sloanea-1 gas discovery in 2020, which encountered several sandstone packages with good reservoir qualities in the Campanian section, as well.
While TotalEnergies irons out plans for its development at the nearby block 58, block 52 offers potential for a second development offshore Suriname.
Block 52, covering an area of 4,749 square kilometers, is located north of the coast of Paramaribo in the Guyana-Suriname basin. PETRONAS Suriname E&P, as the block’s operator, has a 50% participating interest and ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Suriname B.V. holds the remaining 50%.
